Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 5, 2026
08:10
Building Langmuir Probes and Emissive Probes for Plasma Potential Measurements in Low Pressure, Low Temperature Plasmas
Published on: May 25, 2021
6.0K
Multi-gigaelectronvolt acceleration of positrons in a self-loaded plasma wakefield
S Corde1,2, E Adli1,3, J M Allen1
1SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Menlo Park, California 94025, USA.
Nature
|August 28, 2015
Summary
A new plasma wakefield accelerator (PWFA) regime efficiently accelerates positrons. Positrons gain energy within a single bunch, overcoming limitations of previous electron-driven methods for future colliders.
Area of Science:
- Particle Physics
- Accelerator Physics
- Plasma Physics
Background:
- Conventional accelerators face energy limits due to electrical breakdown.
- Plasma wakefield accelerators (PWFA) offer a path to higher energies and more compact, affordable colliders.
- Efficient acceleration of both electrons and positrons is crucial for electron-positron colliders.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel PWFA regime suitable for accelerating positrons.
- To enable efficient energy transfer within a single positron bunch for collider applications.
Main Methods:
- A single positron bunch excites a plasma wakefield.
- Energy transfer occurs from the front to the rear of the same bunch.
- The accelerating field is 'self-loaded' by the positron bunch.
Main Results:
- Approximately one billion positrons gained 5 GeV of energy over 1.3 meters.
- Positrons achieved a narrow energy spread (1.8% RMS).
- About 30% of the wake's energy was extracted by the positrons.
Conclusions:
- This self-loading PWFA regime efficiently accelerates positrons.
- The method is highly attractive for boosting energies in electron-positron colliders.
- Enables compact and cost-effective future particle accelerators.
Related Concept Videos
03:20Nuclear Transmutation
21.0K
Nuclear transmutation is the conversion of one nuclide into another. It can occur by the radioactive decay of a nucleus, or the reaction of a nucleus with another particle. The first manmade nucleus was produced in Ernest Rutherford’s laboratory in 1919 by a transmutation reaction, the bombardment of one type of nuclei with other nuclei or with neutrons. Rutherford bombarded nitrogen-14 atoms with high-speed α particles from a natural radioactive isotope of radium and observed...
21.0K
01:15Van de Graaff Generator
2.9K
Van de Graaff generators (or Van de Graaffs) are devices used to demonstrate high voltage due to static electricity that can also be used for research. Robert Van de Graaff first built one in 1931 (based on original suggestions by Lord Kelvin) for use in nuclear physics research.
Van de Graaff uses both smooth and pointed surfaces, conductors, and insulators to generate large static charges and, hence, large voltages. A substantial excess charge can be deposited on the sphere because it moves...
Van de Graaff uses both smooth and pointed surfaces, conductors, and insulators to generate large static charges and, hence, large voltages. A substantial excess charge can be deposited on the sphere because it moves...
2.9K
01:22Motion Of A Charged Particle In A Magnetic Field
8.1K
A charged particle experiences a force when moving through a magnetic field. Consider the field to be uniform and the charged particle to move perpendicular to it. If the field is in a vacuum, the magnetic field is the dominant factor determining the motion. Since the magnetic force is perpendicular to the direction of motion, a charged particle follows a curved path. The particle continues to follow this curved path until it forms a complete circle. Another way to look at this is that the...
8.1K
01:30Electromagnetic Waves
12.1K
James Clerk Maxwell formulated a single theory combining all the electric and magnetic effects scientists knew during that time, calling the phenomena his theory predicted “Electromagnetic waves”. He brought together all the work that had been done by brilliant physicists such as Oersted, Coulomb, Gauss, and Faraday and added his own insights to develop the overarching theory of electromagnetism. Maxwell’s equations, combined with the Lorentz force law, encompass all the laws...
12.1K
01:22Energy Carried By Electromagnetic Waves
4.1K
Anyone who has used a microwave oven knows there is energy in electromagnetic waves. Sometimes, this energy is obvious, such as in the summer sun's warmth. At other times, it is subtle, such as the unfelt energy of gamma rays, which can destroy living cells. Electromagnetic waves bring energy into a system through their electric and magnetic fields. These fields can exert forces and move charges in the system and, thus, do work on them. However, there is energy in an electromagnetic wave,...
4.1K
01:19Thomson's e/m Experiment
7.7K
In a beam of charged particles created by a heated cathode, the particles move at different speeds. However, many applications need a beam with uniform particle speeds. An arrangement known as a velocity selector uses electric and magnetic fields to pick particles with a particular speed from the beam.
A particle with charge q, speed v, and mass m enters an area from the top, where the magnetic and electric fields are perpendicular both to the particle's motion and to one another. The magnetic...
A particle with charge q, speed v, and mass m enters an area from the top, where the magnetic and electric fields are perpendicular both to the particle's motion and to one another. The magnetic...
7.7K